Yes, you can turn off read receipts on Instagram, but the setting works differently than on other apps
Instagram lets you hide whether you have read a direct message, but the control is not as straightforward as it is on text messaging or email. When you turn off read receipts in Instagram settings, the person messaging you will no longer see the moment you opened their message or the "Seen" indicator. However, the setting applies to all your conversations at once — you cannot turn it off for one person and keep it on for another.
The reason this matters: Instagram's read receipt system is designed to show real-time activity. If you turn off read receipts, you are telling Instagram not to broadcast that information, but the person on the other end will know something changed. They will notice that messages no longer show "Seen" next to them, which can signal that you have disabled the feature rather than straightforward not having read the message yet.
Key Takeaways
- Read receipts on Instagram show the exact time you opened a direct message, displayed as "Seen" with a timestamp.
- You can turn off read receipts by going to Settings, then Privacy, then Messages, and toggling off "Read Receipts".
- Turning off read receipts applies to all your conversations — there is no way to hide them for some people and show them for others.
- If you turn off read receipts, people will see that you have done so because messages will no longer display "Seen" indicators.
Where to find the read receipts setting
Open Instagram and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. From there, tap the three horizontal lines (called a menu icon) in the top right, then select Settings and privacy. Scroll down and tap Messages. You will see a toggle next to "Read Receipts" — tap it to turn the feature off.
The exact location of this setting can shift slightly depending on whether you are using Instagram on iPhone or Android, but the path is the same on both. If you cannot find Messages under Settings and privacy, make sure you are looking in the right account — Instagram business accounts sometimes have different privacy controls than personal accounts.
What happens when you turn read receipts off
When read receipts are off, people who message you will no longer see "Seen" next to their messages or the time you read them. Instead, their message will straightforward sit in the conversation without any indicator that you have opened it. This applies to all direct messages you receive, including group chats.
One important detail: turning off read receipts does not hide whether you are currently active on Instagram. Other users can still see if you have a green dot next to your name (which shows you are online right now), and they can still see your last active time if you have not disabled that separately. Read receipts and active status are two different settings.
The difference between read receipts and active status
Read receipts tell someone when you have opened their specific message. Active status tells someone whether you are currently using Instagram right now. You can turn off active status without turning off read receipts, or vice versa. Many people turn off both because they want more privacy overall, but they work independently.
To turn off active status, go to Settings and privacy, then tap Activity status. Toggle off "Show activity status." This prevents people from seeing the green dot next to your name or knowing when you were last on Instagram. However, it does not affect read receipts — if you leave read receipts on, people will still see when you have read their messages.
Why someone might turn off read receipts
Some people turn off read receipts because they read messages but do not want to respond when ready. Without read receipts, the other person cannot tell whether you have seen their message or straightforward have not opened Instagram yet. This can reduce pressure to reply right away.
Others turn off read receipts for privacy reasons — they do not want anyone tracking their activity or knowing their exact reading patterns. This is especially common for people who receive a lot of messages or who want to keep their Instagram use more private.
What to know before turning off read receipts
Turning off read receipts can change how people perceive your communication. If someone is used to seeing "Seen" next to their messages, they may assume you are ignoring them when the indicator disappears. It is worth considering whether the privacy benefit is worth a potential misunderstanding.
Also keep in mind that turning off read receipts does not delete past read receipts. If someone saw "Seen" on their messages before you turned the feature off, that history remains in the conversation. The setting only affects messages sent after you turn it off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn off read receipts for just one person?
No. Instagram's read receipts setting is all-or-nothing — it applies to every conversation you have. If you want to hide your read status from one specific person, you would need to turn off read receipts for everyone.
If I turn off read receipts, can people still see if I am online?
Yes. Read receipts and active status are separate. Turning off read receipts does not hide your green online dot or your last active time. You need to turn off active status separately in Settings and privacy to hide that information.
Will people know I turned off read receipts?
They will notice that messages no longer show "Seen," which signals that you have changed your settings. However, Instagram does not send a notification saying you have turned off read receipts — they will only realize it by observing that the indicator is gone.
Can I turn read receipts back on after turning them off?
Yes. You can toggle read receipts on and off whenever you want by going back to Settings and privacy, then Messages, and switching the Read Receipts toggle. There is no waiting period or limit to how many times you can change it.
Do read receipts work the same way in group chats?
Yes. When you turn off read receipts, it affects group messages the same way it affects one-on-one conversations. People in group chats will no longer see "Seen" next to your name when you read messages.